Prime mover dynamo plant



,Dec. 17,1929.

R. H. EARLE PRIME MOVER DYNAMO PLANT Filed May 17, 1926 mined cond tions.

Patented Dec. 17, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MAN UFAGTU BIN G COMPANY, OF MILWAUKEE,

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WISCONSIN, CORPORATION OF PRIME MOVED. DYNAMQ PLANT Application filed Kay 17, 1926. Serial No. 109,556.

This invention relates to prime mover dynamo lants and control systems therefor. It is d dsirable to cause a prime mover to start automatically in response to a single initiating 0 eration which latter may be performed at the 'rime mover or at any desired distance there rom. The initiating operation may be manually performed or in response to predetermined conditions. If the prime mover drives an electric generator it is further desirable to automatically connect the generator to its associated distribution system when desired conditions obtain. One of the objects of this invention is to provide a system which will perform these desired functions. Another object of the invention is to provide a system of prime mover control whereby the prime mover. may be automatically started from rest and have, its speed radually increased, and more specifically to have such starting operation under speed control. Still another object is to provide an automatic starting system for prime movers in which the prime mover is under load contr0l.

A further object of the invention is to provide a system for controlling a prime moicer whereby the prime mover is automatically stopped in response to initiating conditions, and more specifically in which the stopping is accomplished in a gradual man-- ner. A more specific object is the provision o mean f r au oma ally PP n h Pr m mo er Provi ing a l a tw d r nt rates of stopping dependent upon predeterstill anbth r ob'ect 0f th n nti n i to provide a system or automatically starting a prime mover dynamo plant in which the prime mover is automatically brought up to a speed corresponding to the frequency of the line to which the generator is to be connected, and then increasing the speed setting to cause the prime mover to tend to run faster.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an automatic starting system for prime movers in which after the starting control has been initiated and the means for admitting operating fluid to the prime mover fails to open, or the speed governorfails to pick up, or other abnormal conditions obtam, the. starting control operations will not be completed, and more specifically, the prime mover gate will be re-closed if it has been opened.

The foregoing objects are also attained by the invention disclosed in applicants' copending application Ser. No. 720,721, filed June 18, 1924, now Patent No. 1,685,740, September 25, 1928, but by specifically different means, the broad generic claims appearing in the aforesaid application.

One of the more specific objects is the provision of a system in which operation of the immediate control'means for the gate operating device is operated by an electromotive device insteado by fluid pressure operated means. I

Other objects will appear hereinafter as the description of the invention proceeds.

The novel features of the invention will appear from this-specification and the accompanying drawin forming a part thereof showing one em odiment of the invention and all these novel features are intended to be pointed out in the claims.

a The single figureof the'drawing shows in more or less diagrammatic form how the invention may be applied in the control of the hydraulic turbine and generator. driven thereby.

Referring to the drawing, the prime mover is here shown as a hydraulic turbine 1 adapted to drive a generator 2 connectibleto a distribution system 3 through a circuit breaker 4;.

The circuit breaker may be operated to clos'ed position by means of a coil 5 the vcircuit of which may be openable by means of a trip coil 6 responsive to any desired abnormal condition. The coil 5 may; be energized by means of an automatic synchronizer 7 of any desired form responsive to equality of phase and frequency asbetween the generator 2 and the system 3. The circuit breaker may be provided'with an auxiliary switch 8 which closes back contacts, asshown, when the circuit breaker is open and opens the back contacts and closes other contacts when the'cir=- cuit breaker closes.

I The prime mover may be controlledbv -means of a gate 9 interposed in the conduit leading operating fluid to the prime mover. The gate 9 has been shown as a plain valve for the sake of simplicity. It is of course obvious that any other means for controlling the admission of operating fluid to the prime mover may be utilized it being usual to do this withthe guide vanes in case the prime mover is a hydraulic turbine. The term gate has been'used in the specification and the claims for the sake of brevity to designate any means for controlling the admission of operating fluid to a prime mover. The gate may be operated by means of a crank 10 connected to a rod 11 in turn connected to a piston rod 12 of a gate operating motor here shown as a hydraulically operated servo-motor. The servo-motor may be controlled by a regulating valve 14 adapted to cause admission of fluid under pressure one Way or the other to produce motion of the servo-motor toward the open or closed position. The regulating valve is operated by means of a valve stem 15 here shown as connected to a spring casing 16 through which passes a rod 17 against the end of which a s ring 18 is adapted to act. The other end 0 the rod 17 is provided with an. adjustable nut 19 acting against a floating lever 21. The rod 17 may pass freely through a swivel connection at the end of floating lever 21. A spring 20 is provided acting against the floating lever 21 and a collar on the rod 17.

The floating lever 21 is provided with a pivot 22 with which is associated centrifugally responsive means such as flyballs 23 which are driven. by any suitable means from the generating unit as by means of a belt 24. The other end of the floating lever may be provided with a swiveled screw theaded nut 25 adapted to cooperate with a screw 26 which may be driven by a worm wheel 27 and aworm 28. A motor 29 may be suitably associated with the worm 28 and mounted a p on a carrier 80. The motor 29 may be of the split field type or any other type which may have its direction of rotation reversed. The screw 26 is hereshown as freely rotatable about a shaft or rod 30, which rod may carry the carrier 80. The rod 30 servesas one element of a dash pot or compensating device 31 which may be of any suitable form. The other element of the compensating device is movable by means of a bell crank 32 and a link 33 associated in any suitable manner as a bell crank, and adapted to engage a projection 36 on the spring casing 16. The control lever is biased in a counter clockwise direction by means of a spring 37. The other end of the control lever 35 may be pivotally connected to a member 38 which may be of tubular or other form and which carries at one end a nut 39 adapted to cooperate with a screw 40 freely rotatable about a rod 41 between flanges on said rod. The other end of rod 41 has a lost motion connection with a member 42 here shown as tubular. The member 42 may be connected pivotally to the bell crank 32. A pin 43 may be associated with the rod 41 and cooperate with a slot in the member 42. The pin 43 is here shown as in contact with the upper end of the slot in the member 42.

A motor 45, which may be of a form similar to that of motor 29, is suitably mounted on the rod 41 and adapted to drive a worm 46 engaging a worm wheel 47 associated with the screw 40. Also suitably mounted on rod 41 is arod 48, or other suitable mounting, for a plurality of switches 49, and 51. The switch 49 comprises two movable elements adapted to make contact with two relatively stationary elements respectively. 'As shown in the drawing both movable elements are in the open position being so held by means of a projection 53 engaging an extension on one of the movable switch elements. The extension 53 is associated with the member 38. The switch 50 comprises a single movable element making back contact with one contact as shown. The movable element is provided with a suitable means as a cam whereby the projection 53 may move the movable element of switch 50 out of contact with the back contact and into contact with a main contact. The switch 51 comprises a single movable and relatively stationary element which are in contact in the position of the parts as shown and are adapted to be separated by the projection 53.

For the sake of clearness in illustration, another rod, 52, i here shown as carried by the rod 41 and is adapted to carry a switch 54. The switch 54 may of course be also carried by rod 48. The switch 54 comprises two movable and two relatively stationary cooperating elements which are out of contact in the position of the parts as shown and are adapted to be brought into contact by means of a cam engageable by a projection 55, which as far as the operation of the system is concerned, may be identical with the projection 53.

For a purpose which will appear hereinafter, the control lever 35 is provided with auxiliary controlling means here shown as comprising a bell crank lever 56, which may be pivoted on the same pivot as lever. 35 but is movable'independently of the latter lever. The bell crank 56 carries a. projection 57 adapted to cooperate witht-he lever 35 so that when the lever 56 is moved in a clockwise direction it will also move the lever in the same direction. Thelever 56 is connected by means oi alink-71 to a piston 70 movable in a cylinder 69. The piston 70 is based by means ofi'a spring 72'so that the l ver 56 holds the lever 35 in the position as shown against the tension of the spring 37. The piston 70 may be moved by admission of fluid under pressure to the cylinder 69 through a-pipe 68.

The bell crank 56 may also be connected through a link 58 with a bell crank 59 one end of which forms a latch for the piston rod 12 and isadapted to hold the servo-motor in the gate-closed position. An extension 60 movable with the bell crank 59 has a lost motion connection with a rod 61 adapted to control the latch 62. The latch 62 is biased to a position where it may engage a detent on a shut-off valve 63 after the shut-off valve has been opened; The shut-01f valve is adapted to control the admission of fluid under pressure from the pressure tank 66 to the servo-motor through the regulating valve 14. The system may be provided with the usual sump tank 67 and means for producing pressure in the tank 66. The shut-off valve-and the control means therefor is the same as fully described in applicants copending application hereinabove referred to and need not be further described. As in the hereinbefore mentioned application the shut-off valve 63'may be caused to open 'by means of an electromagnetically operated valve 64 controlled by an operating coil 65. In addition to controllin the shut-off valve, the electromagnetic va ve 64 is also adapted to admit fluid under pressure to the pipe 68, when the coil is energized. Obviously other control means than fluid pressure means may be utilized for operating the lever 56.

The carrier 80 may alsocarry a number of control switches 7 6, 77, 78, 79. The switches 76, 77 are operable in unison by means of the nut 25 and in the position of the parts shown are held out of contact with two relatively stationary contacts respectively. The switch 78 is in the position of the parts shown in contact with a back contact and adapted to engage a front contact when moved by the nut 25. The switch 79 is in the position of the parts shown in contact with .the relatively stationary contact and adapted to be separated therefrom by engagement of the nut 25. A speed responsive switch 81 is provided for a purpose which will appear and the switch may be operated by means of the flyhalls 23 which when the unit is at rest hold the switch 81 open. The switch 81 may be adjusted to closeat any desired speed of the unit as for example five per cent of normal speed.

The principal control circuits are here shown as feedable from a battery 73 connected to the control buses 74, 75. A master control switch 82, 83 is provided which may be operated in any desired manner to control the unit. The blade 82 of the control switch is here shown as interposed in buses 7 4 and the blade 83 as interposed in a conductor leading from the battery side of switch 82 to the coil 65 the other terminal of which is connected to the bus 75.

The electrical'connections and relation of the parts will be best understood by descrip- Simultaneously therewith the electromagnetic valve 65 is energized thereby causing opening of the shut-off valve 63. By reason of the position of the regulating valve 14 as shown, the servo-motor 13 causes the gate 9 to be forced tightly to its seat thereby relieving the strain on the latch 59. The operation of the electromagnetic valve also admits fluid under pressure below piston which releases the latch 59 and permits the latch 62 to move to a position where it may be engaged by the detent on the shut-off valve. The piston 70 also removes the pin 57 out of the way of the control lever 35. The latter, however, does .projection 53 permits closure of switch 49.

Closure of switch 49 at this time has no effect for the reason that the back contacts of relay '85 are open. Further movement of member 38 causes the projection 55 to close the switch 54 but inasmuch as the back contacts of relay 87 are open and the switch 76, 77 is open no effect is produced at this time. The lower contacts of switch 54 close a potential circuit for a relay 86 here shown as provided with back contacts only. Further movement of the member 38 causes the projection 53 to open the back and close the front contacts of switch 50.= The opening of the back contacts deenergizes the relay 85 while the closure of the front contacts completes the circuit of a relay 84 which is lifted off of its back contacts and closes its front contacts. By reason of the movement of the member 38 the control lever 35 has permitted the spring 18 to cause the regulating valve 14 to follow the movement of the control lever 35, thereby first moving the regulating valve to its neutral position and then gradually admitting fluid to the sbrvo-motor to open the gate 9 a predetermined amount.

The switch 50 is preferably so adjusted on the rod 48 that it is operated by the projection 53 when the control lever 35 has caused opening of the gate 9 to an amount either slightly greater than required to start the turbine or maintain normal speed, whichever isthe greater gate opening. It is particularly desirable to cause such a preliminary gate opening where considerable gate open-. ing is necessary to start the turbine from rest. \Vhen the switch 50 is operated and the relay 85 is deenergized the motor is caused to reverse by reason of the fact that the circuit therethrough is now through the back contacts of relay 85, the contacts of relay 86, the left hand element of switch 49, a conductor 90 and the conductor 89.

The opening of the gate 9 of course causes the unit to start and increase in speed and when the speed reaches a predetermined amount the switch 81 closes thereby ener gizing the motor 29 through switch 79 front contacts of relay 87, switch 81, a conductor 91 and the conductor 89. The motor 29 then rotates in such direction that the nut 25 is gradually moved downwards, thereby lifting the other end of the floating lever slowly to cause the regulating valve to move to the gate open position. The regulating valve is of course under control of the flyballs and consequently the speed of the unit is gradually raised under the control of the governor depending upon the setting as determined by the nut 25. Downward movement of nut 25 permits closure of switch 76, 77 thereby closing a potential circuit for a relay 86 which is energized as soon as the switch 54 is closed, through switch 77 and the lower contacts of switch 54. Energization of relay 86 opens the circuit of the motor 45 which therefore leaves the control lever. 35 in a position determined by the adjusted position of switch 54. The position of switch 54 may be such that the gate 9 will be opened a somewhat less amount than that determined by the position of the-switch but the gate opening is preferably slightly greater than enough to produce normal speed of the unit at no load.

Further downward movement of the nut 25 opens the switch 79 thereby stopping the motor 29. The setting of nut 25 may be such at this time that the unit will be oper ating at any desired predetermined speed such as normal speed at no load.

When the generator 2 is in phase with the system 3 the automatic synchronizer 7 causes closure of the circuit breaker 4 and also moves the auxiliary switch 8 from its back contacts on to its front contacts. The closure of the front contacts causes the motor 29 to be reenergized through the conductor 89, conductor 91. switch 81, front contacts of relay 87, switch 8 and through the back con- ;tact of switch 78. Further downward movement of the nut 25 which then takes place causes the opening of the back contact of switch 78 thereby stopping the motor 29. Closure of the front contact of switch 78 reenergizes relay 85 and the closure of the front contacts of this relay reenergizes the motor 45 to run it in such direction that the member 38 again moves the control lever 35 toward the gate open position. When the projection 53 reaches and opens switch 51 the motor 45 stops. The position of the switch 51 may be such that any desired predetermined gate opening will be attained. It is of course clear that the control lever 35 with its associated mechanism as related to the gate 9 serves as a power limiting device so that when the load on the unit exceeds a predetermined value the gate 9 will not open any further even though the flyballs 23 tend to act to produce such opening. The maximum gate opening is therefore thus limited to any predetermined desired extent.

When it is desired to stop the unit the starting switch 82, 83 may be opened thereby deenergizing relays 87 and 85. Deenergization of relay 85 causes the motor 45 to run in such direction that control lever 35 rotates in a clockwise direction thereby movin the regulating valve 14 to the gate-closed position. When the projection 53 reaches the switch 54 the relay 86 is energized thereby stopping motor 45. The closure of switch 54 also energizes the motor 29 through switch 54 and switch 76 and the nut 25 is moved upwardly. When the switch 76 is opened by the nut 25, relay 86 is deenergized which restarts the motor 45 through the switch 49. When the projection-=53 reaches switch 49 andlopens the same.the motor 45' stops and the solenoid valve is deenergized. By this time the gate 9 has reached its closed position, and by reason of the deenergization of solenoid 65, fluid pressure is cut oil from both' the operating cylinder of the shut-off valve 63 and from cylinder 69, and these cylinders are connected to the drain pipe through valve 64. The shut-off valve, though biased to closed position, will not close until the piston has descended sufliciently to permit entrance of the latch 59 in the notch in the piston rod 12. When this occurs the latch .62 releases the shut-0E valve which then closes.

lVhen the switch 82, 83 is opened as above described the unit is stopped in a gradual manner. Under abnormal conditions it may be desirable to cause a quicker stopping of the unit. For this purpose a relay 88 which may be responsive to any abnormal condition has its contacts so located in the control bus 74 that when the relay 88 is open the solenoid valve 65 is deenergized and all of relays 85, 87 and 86. The regulating valve 14 is therefore immediately moved to its gate closed position because of, the release of fluid pressure under piston 70. The spring 72 is stronger than the spring 37 and the lever 56 therefor at once rotates the lever 35 in a clo'ckwise direction thereby moving the regulating valve to the gate close position. Such movementof lever 35 is permitted by reason of the lost motion connection between the rod 41 and the member 42. As before, the motor 45 runs until the projection 53 opens switch 49. When the circuit breaker 4 opens the back contactof auxiliary switch 8 closes the 10 circuit of the motor 29 so that it runs the nut to the stop position, opening switch 76 and stopping motor 29. The parts are then in a position so that the unit may be again started if desired.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit the invention claimed to the exact details of construction shown and described, for obvious modifications may occur to ersons skilled in the art.

t is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a gate operating means for a prime mover, a gate-motor, control means therefor, means for controlling said control means in- 5 cluding a control member 0 erativel related to said control means an norma ly positioned in accordance with said gate, means including an electromotive device for movin said control member independently of 30 said gate, and I means responsive to said movement for stopping said device with the control member in a predetermined position.

2. In a gate operating means for a prime mover, agate-motor, control means therefor, means for controlling said control means includin a control member operatively related to sai control means and normally positioned in accordance with said gate, means including an electromotive device for moving said controlme ber independently of said gate to cause movement of said control means toward gate open position, means responsive to said movement for stopping and reversing said device with said control member in a predetermined gate open position, and means for stoppin said reverse movement after a predetermined amount of reverse movement.

3. In a gate operating means for a prime ber in a predetermined gate open position,

means for stopping said reverse movement after a predetermined amount of reverse movement, means responsive to predetermined conditions for restarting sald device in the first direction, and means for stopping said device when said control member is in a predetermined open position.

4:. In a gate operating means for a prime mover, a gate-motor, control means therefor, means for controlling said control means including a control member operatively related to said control means and normally positioned in accordance with said gate, means including an electromotive device for movin said control member inde endently'of said gate to cause movement of said control means toward gate open position, means responsive to said movement for stopping said device with said control member in a predetermined gate open position, and means responsive to predetermined conditions for restarting said device to cause said control member to move still further toward gate open 1position a predetermined amount.

5. n a control system for a prime mover, a gate for admitting operating fluid to said prime mover, a motor for operating said gate, control means for said gate-motor, means responsive to the speed of said prime mover operatively related to said control means, means for operating said control means independently of said speed responsive means, and independently operable means for controlling said control means to the exclusion of said control-means operating-means and said speed responsive means.

6. In a control system for a prime mover, a gate for admitting operating fluid to said primev mover, a motor for operating said gate, control means for said gate-motor, means responsive to the speed of said prime mover operatively related to said control means, means for operating said control means independently of said speed responsive means ositioned in accordance with said gate, in ependently operable means, for controlling said control means to the exclusion of said control-means operating-means and said speed responsive means, and means whereby said control means operating-means may control said controlmeans independently of said gate.

7. In a control system for a prime mover, a gate for admitting operating fluid to said prime mover, a motor for operating said gate, control means for said gate-motor, a control member for said control means, means for operating said control member positioned in accordance with said gate, independently operable means, for controlling said control member, and means including an electromotive device whereby said control member operating means may control said member independently of said gate.

8. In a control system for a prime mover, a gate for admitting operating fluid to said prime mover, a motor for operating said gate, control means for said gate-motor, a control member for said control means, means responsive tothe speed of said prime mover operatively related to said control means; an extensible and contractible connection between said control member and said gate, means whereby said connection may be extended and contracted independently of the positionof said gate and independently operable means for controlling said control member.

9. In a control system for a prime mover, a gate for admitting operating fluid to said prime mover, a motor for operating said gate, control means for said gate-motor, a control member for said control means, an extensible and contractible connection between said control member and said gate, means including an electromotive device whereby said connection may be extended and contracted independently of the position of said gate and independently operable means for controlling said control member.

10. In a control system for a prime mover, a gate for admitting operating fluid to said prime mover, a motor for operating said gate, control means for said gate-motor, a control memberfor said control means, an extensible and contractible connection between said control member and said, gate, means including an electromotive device whereby said connection may be extended and contracted independently of the position of said gate, independently operable means for controlling said control member, means whereby said gate may be held in closed position, and means operable by said independently operable means for controlling said holding means.

11. In a control system for a prime mover, a gate for admitting operating fluid to said prime mover, a motor for operating said gate, control means for said gate-motor, a control member for said control means, an extensible and contractible connection between said control member and said gate, means including an electromotive device whereby said connection maybeextended and contracted independently of the position of said gate and independently operable means for controlling said control member.

12. In a control system for a prime mover, a gate for admitting operating fluid to said prime mover, a motor for operating said gate, control means for said gate-motor, a control member for said control means, an extensible and contractible connection between said gate and said control member, means including an electromotive device for extending and contracting said connection, means responsive to the speed of said prime mover for controlling said control means, means for modifying the controlling effect of said speed responsive means, and means controlled by said modifying means for controlling said electromotive device. a

13. In a control system for a prime mover, a, gate fo'ir'admitting operating fluid to said prime mover, a motor for operating said gate, control means for said gate-motor, a control member for said control means, an extensible and contractible connection between said gate and said control member, means including an electromotive device for extending and contracting said connection, means responsive to the speed of said prime mover for controlling said control means, means for modifying the controlling effect of said speed responsive means, a reversing switch for said electromotive device, and means controlled by said modifying device for controlling said reversing switch.

14. In a system for automatically starting a prime mover having a gate for admitting operating fluid thereto, means for operating said gate, means operatively related to said gate and reacting on said operating means for predetermining the maximum gate opening during a portion of the starting period, and means including a direct acting electromotive device responsive to predetermined conditions for changing the predetermined maximum gate opening.

15. In a system for automatically starting a prime mover having a gate for admitting operating fluid thereto, a generator driven by said prime mover, means for connecting saidgenerator to a distribution system, means for predetermining the maximum gate opening during a portion of said starting period and means including a direct acting electromotive device responsive to the operation of said connecting means for changing the prel determined maximum gate opening.

Hi, In a system for automatically starting a prime mover having a gate for admitting operating fluid thereto, a generator driven by said prime mover, means for connecting said generator to a distribution system, means for operating said gate, means operatively related to said gate and reacting on said operating means for predetermining the maximum gate opening during a portion of the starting period and means including a direct acting electromotive device responsive to the operation of said connecting means for changing the maximum predetermined gate opening.

17. In a control system for a prime mover, a gate for admitting operating fluid to said prime mover, means. for operating said gate, means including an electromotive device operatively related to said gate operating means for predete'rmining the maximum gate opening, said electromotive device having one position when said prime mover is at rest and another when it is running, means for causing said gate-operating means to close said gate independently of the position of said electromotive device, and means for causing said device to return to its first named position when said independently operable means causes closure of said gate.

18. In a control system for a prime mover, a gate for admit-ting operating fluid to said prime mover, a motor for operating said gate, means responsive to the speed of said prime mover for controlling said motor to regulate said gate opening, and means for predetermining the maximum gate opening including an electric motor automatically operable in response to predetermined conditions.

In testimony whereof, the signature of the inventor is affixed hereto.

RALPH H. EARLE. 

